The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-11
strange Conduct.

Last Autumn, Or. w. n. wilkins, from
1914 Park Ave, New York city, opened
negotiations with DR.. Shattuck for the pur-
chase of a half interest in the Bio omsburg
Sanitarium, and to this end came on here
to see the property in October. After two
or three days investigation he expressed
himself highly pleased and agreed to take
an interest on terms satisfactory to his
father-in-aw, Mr. J. NJ. Mansfield, of Napa
county, California, whom he represented as
wealthy banker and ranchman and who was
to furnish the money to pay the interest on
the purchase money for one year, after
which, il satisfied with the investment, the
payments were to be made. Both parties
accepted this liberal offer and DIR. wilkins,
with his wife, came to take possession, on
January 3, bringing with them soIde house
hold furniture, with which they partially
furnished their rooms. There being some
delay in carrying out the contract on the
part of Mr.. Mansfield, DR.. Wilkins desired
to be considered boarder until the part
nership was made operative and was ap-
parently contentedly waiting funds from
California. Last week, Tuesday, DR..
Shattuck being called to New York on
business, DR.. Wilkins promised TO look af-
ter the invalids under treatment, and did
so until some time Thursday night About
two o'clock Friday morning the matron
called him to a patient who had been taken
suddenly worse, and she noticed then that
| bat a. lin
of it at the time and retired.
The Doctor and wife not appearing
promptly as usual at breakfast, it was sup
posed they had oversight and it was thought
best not to disturb them; but when nine
o'clock came and no steps were heard in
their rooms, servant was sent to call
them. The doors were locked and repeated
rappng and calling failing of any response,
the porter was summoned to look through
the transom, as the ladies Of the Sanitar-
ium were paralyzed with fear, visions of
suicide and accidental death, arising before
them.
| The porter reported the rooms vacant and
| most of the furniture missing. On going
| to the depot it was learned that DR.. Wilkins
and wife had taken the early morning train
| for New York and their furniture was upon
the depot platform waiting for the next
| train and labeled &. Frost, New York city.
How he managed to move his furniture out
without awakening people in adjoining
rooms is mystery. He had to carry IT
through long hall In to the east wing and
out of the front door of that building, leav-
| ing it and the basement door open in his
haste. His movements outside were mani
fest by tracks in the snow and by articles
strewn along between the Sanitarium and
depot Instead of going out the front gate
near by, he threw his things over the fence
and jumped after them in the shadow OF
the building. AS DR.. Wilkins had not paid
| his board and his actions were so manifestly
fraudulent, Mrs. Shattuck was advised to
attach the goo DIS, which was done in time
| to stop them, and Dr. Shattuck was sum
moned home. At Bell Bend DR.. Wilkins
mailed letter to Mrs. Shattuck, lnclosing
key of his room, saying he was suddenly
called to Boston on important business, AND
had decided, during the night, to go. Also
another letter TO DR.. Reber asking him tc
attend the Sanitarium. What could have
induced DR.. Wilkins to attempt such an in
sane aud needless act is beyond conjecture
as it is not known here that he was evel
engaged In any shady transaction liable tc
follow him. He was prepossessing, gen.
tlemanly-sppearing fellow, and by his frani
manner and good address, won the conf
dence OF those with whom he came in con
tact. DIR. Shattuck, by hard work ant
close attention, has built up successful
business, which, with this fine property, 81
centrally situated, must rapidly increase IT
value, and it would, therefore, seem tina
DR.. Wilkins was an adventurer sailing un
der false colors and liable to be exposed, o.
extraordinary fear of something musr hav
caused him to lose his head, to thus abus'
hospitality and to sacrifice so igL ominiousl.
the business opportunity extended to ant
accepted by him. Nothing has been hear'
from DR.. Wilkins since his departure, ant
after waiting nearly week for an explain
alton, Dr. Shattuck feels justified in per
hitting the facts to be published.